Rotary engine



E. J. LANGMAN. ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION man Aue.29. 1918.

PatentedSept. 9,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I figawvzqqx E. 1. LANGMAN. ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG-19' I918.

PatentedSept. 9, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

rm: COLUMBIA ILANOGRAPII cn., WASHINGTON, n. c.

E. J. LANGMAN.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION mzo AUG.29. ma.

3 J2 06 221 0) a? M 7 7?. 65 Zf/Jf EnwAItD .r. LANGMAN, or BUFFALO, new YORK.

rto'rARY ENGINE.

Spec i ficatibn of Letters iatent.

Patented Sept. 9, 1919.

Applicetibh flied August 29, 1918. Seria1No.251,874.

v which is more particularly designed for use in connect-ion with gasolene 01" the like as the motive medium although the same may be organized for operation by any suitable active agent.

The objects of this invention areto pro- 7 ride an engine of this character in which a greater amount of power a is obtained for the amount of fuel which is expended; which will operate with a niiiiinium of vi bration and friction; and which can be pro (lllced at comparatively low cost and is not liable to get out of orderunder hard and continuous usage. h In the accompanyingdrawings: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a rotary engine embodying myimprovements; Fig. 2 is a tlragn'ientary vertical cross section, taken on line 2-2, ig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertis cal section, on an enlarged scale, taken ap proximately online 3-3, 1. Fig. l is a top plan View of the engine, partly in section, and showing the hoodor cover reinoved; Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sections taken on the correspondingly numbered lines inFig. 1. Similar characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The main frame of this engine may be of any suitable eonstructioi'i to support the ya rious working parts, but as shownin the drawings the same comprises a base 1 and two uprights or standards 2, 3 rising from opposite ends of this base. Mounted on the upper parts of these standards and practically forming parts of the rigidor station ary main frame of theengine are two longitudinal arbors or axles i, 5 which are arranged lengthwise in line with each other and each of which has its outer part secured in an opening on one of the standards by means of a transverse pin 6 passing transversely through this standard and the arbor,

as shown in Figs. 1 and l, or by any other suitable means. Between these standards is arranged a rotor frame whereby the power cylinders and associated parts of the engine are pivotally or rotatably mounted on the main frame. This rotor frame may be of any suitable construction but as shown in the drawings the same comprises a hollow body 7 and two hollow trunnions 8, 9 one of which, for instance the trunnion 8 is do tachably connected by bolts 70 with one end ofthe hollow body and is 'ournaled on the inner part of the axle 5 whllethe other hollow trunnion 9 is detachably secured to the opposite end of the hollow rotor body by means of bolts 01' the like and is journaled on the inner part of the other axle 4.

On this rotor frame are mounted one or morepower cylinders 10, but in the preferred embodiment of this invention four cylinders are employed. As shown in the drawings, these cylinders are arranged in two pairs which are parallel and side by side in a directionlengthwise of the engine and extendacross the axis about which the rotor frame turns on the main frame. The members of each pair of cylinders have their endsopposed and connected with each other and the several cylinders and the rotor frame are preferably formed integrally from a single castingso that they are reliably connected and can not only be produced atlower cost but also are not liable to become displaced relatively to each other.

The rotor frame is connected with two corresponding cylinders of both pairs on one side of the axis of the rotor frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The outer end of each of these cylinders is preferably provided with a removable head 11 which is secured to the cylinder by means of bolts 12 and the exterior of theouter end of each of these cylinders is preferably provided with radiating fins or webs 13 so as to dissipate the heat which is developed in the engine and maintain the same sufliciently cool for running the engine properly.

\Vithin each of the power cylinders is arrl'alngecl a power piston 14: and the pistons arraiiged in the con'lpanion cylinders of a pair are connected at their opposing inner ends by a reduced neck 15 which is preferably formed integrally with the bodies of these pistons, as shown in Fig. 1. 7 Means are provided whereby these pistons are connected with the stationary main frame so that upon rotating the cylinders and the rotor frame these pistons will be caused to reciprocate lengthwise in the cylinders. Al though these means may be varied asto details of construction those shown in the drawings are suitable and comprise a yoke having a body portion 16 which embraces or extends around those two cylinders of both pairs which are arranged opposite to those two which are connected with the rotor frame and two coupling arms 17, ar-

ranged on the yoke body on opposite sides of eachpair of cylinders and extending inwardly from this body, two transverse pins 18 each extending through the neck which connects one pair of pistons and longitudinal slots 19 arranged on opposite sides of the inner parts of a pair of pistons and connected at their outerends with said coupling arms 17, 17, and two links23 arranged adjacent to the outer sides of the two pairs of cylinders and each pivotally connected at its outerend to the adjacent end of the yoke body while its inner end is pivotally connected with the mainframe eccentrically to the axis of'the rotary frame, this last mentioned pivotal mounting being preferably effected by providing the inner end of the adjacent arbor of the main frame with a laterally projecting arm 21 arranged within the rotor frame and provided with a stationary crank 22 upon which the inner end of the respective link turns. v The sta: tionary cranks 22 of both axles are arranged lengthwise in line and on one side of or eccentric to the axis of the rotor frame. In order to maintain the yoke in its-proper relation to the pistons, spacing sleeves 20 are preferably applied to the connecting pin 18 between opposite sides of the neck 15 of each pair of pistons and the adjacent arms 17 of the yokes, as shown in Fig. 3. 1

It follows from. this construction 7 that when the cylinders turn about the axis of the pivotal connection with the same and the main frame which is formed by the hollow trunnions turning on the inner parts of the axles, a reciprocating movement of the pistons in the cylinders is produced by reason'of the eccentric connection between these pistons and the main frame through the medium of the links 23 which connect the yoke with the cranks 22 of the main frame.

It will be noted that in this construction the rotor frame connects with two cylinders of both pairs on one side of the axis of rotationof the rotor frame and cylinders while the yoke embraces the other corresponding two cylinders of both pairs, thereby providing the necessary clearance space which will permit the cylinders to rotate and the yoke to reciprocate relatively to the cylinders and the links to swing upon the fixed eccentric cranks 22 without interference of these parts with each other.

For the purpose of preventing the throwing laterally of any oil by the links, yoke and parts associated therewith in operation of the engine as well as preventing the access of any dust or dirt to these parts which might interfere with their proper operation and also to guard against possible injury to the attendant during the operation of the engine, the open side of the hollow rotorframe which faces toward the yoke and links is covered by a hood or lid 2% which is detachably secured to the rotor frame and embraces the adjacent cylinders so as to inclose the yoke, links and adjacent parts, as best shown in Figsal and 3.

Then this rotary engine is to be operated on theprinciple of a four stroke cycle gas engine means are provided for succes sively introducing a charge of fuel at the outer or working end of eachof these cylinders, then compressing the same, then igniting the same and then exhausting the same, the operations taking place at different times in the several cylinders. The means for thus supplying the explosive agent to the cylinders and exhausting the spent products therefrom may be varied, those which are shown in the drawings being satisfactory and constructed as follows:

On the outer side of each cylinder head is arranged a valve chest 62 which contains a valve chamber 25 communicating with the outer end ofthe respective cylinder. This valve chamber is provided with an :inlet port 27 for the live fuel or gases and an outlet port 26 forthe spent fuel or dead products a of combustion, being preferably arranged side by side and opening into the inlet and exhaust chambers 33, 32 in the valve chest which chamber connects with themovable sections 29, 28 of the inlet and outlet conduits through which the fuel is supplied and theexhaust gases are carried away, respectively. 'The inlet and exhaust ports of each cylinder are 0011- trolled by inlet and exhaust valves 31, 30, which are preferably of conical form and engage with corresponding seats around the corresponding ports. Inasmuch as each of these inlet and exhaust valves may be opened and closed in a variety of ways and the means for this purpose which are shown in the drawings are merely typical. of a form suitable for this purpose the'following description of one valve operating mechanism will apply to the operating mechanism as sociated with each of these valves.

these two ports 34L repr seats a valve stem which is guided in an outer wall of the valve chest and carries one of the valves at its inner end, 35 a spring operating to hold this valve yieldingly in its closed position andlpearing at one end against the valve chest and at its opposite end against a shoulder on the valve stem, 36 an elbowishapcd rock lever pivoted on the adjacent cylinder and engaging one arm with the outerend of the valve stem, 37 a longitudinally movable sl iifting rod arranged parallel with the cylinder and en} gaging its outer end with the other arm of the elbow lever and guided on the adjacent cylinder and rotor frame, a rotary cam 39 engaging with the inner end of the shifting red, a cam shaft 38 joui'nalcc l in hearings on the rotor frameparallel with the axis of the same but on one side thereof and carrying the valve cam 39 and a fixed gear pinion 390 surroundingthe hollow trunnion l) and secured to the adjacent stationary inember li and meshing with a gear wheel 4L0 on the cam shaft, this gear wheel havin a pitch diameter equal to four times tliatof the gear pinion. This valve mechanism so timed that during one inward stroke of a piston, the inlet valve associated with one cylinder will be opened and a charge of fuel will be jduawn into the outer or firing end of the respective cylinder, during the following outward stroke of this piston botlrthe inlet and e thaust valves are closed sothat the charge of fuel will be compressed in the cylinder. During the next following inward stroke of the piston, the latter will be driven by the ignited charge of fuel at which time both valves are still closed, and during the following return or outward stroke of the piston the burned gases will be discharged from the cylinder, by reason the exhaust value at this time being opened. This cycle of operations is repeated in this manner for each cylinder and the same occur successively in different cylinders so that when the engine is operated norn'ially fuel will drawn at one time into one of "the cylinders, compression ofthe fuel will be effected at the same time in another cylinder, explosion of the fuel will at this time occur in another cylinder, and exhausting of theproducts of combustion will takeplace in another cylinder, so that the several operations take place simultaneously but in different cylinders, whereby practically continued power is de velopcd by the engine. 1

The preferred means for supplying the fuel to these cylinders and exhausting the spent gases therefrom while the rotor frame and associated parts turn are constructed as follows: t t a 3 Wlthin the hollow trnnnlonfl and at the side thereof 1s arranged conduit or passage ta e L2 which is formed in a stationary inlet coln lar surrounding the hollow trunnion 9 and connected with a stationary section "1:5 of the fuel supply conduit. Another conduit or passage a l is formed in the opposite side of the hollow trunnion 9 and connects with the movable section 28 of the exhaust conduit whileyits outer end opens into the annular eonpling conduit Q6 of the exhaust collard? whichis immovably mounted on the hollow trunnion .9 and connected with the stationary section 48 of the exhaust pipe or conduit. By this means a rotary pipe coupling is established between the fixed sections d5, 48. ofthe inlet and exhaust pipes and the movable sections 29, 28 of the same which rotate with the cylinders so that fuel is supplied to the engine and the exhaust carried away a without interruption'in the operation of the engine. Any suitable means may be provided for igniting the charge of fuel in each cylinder after the same has been compressed, the nieanswhich are shown in the drawings beone of many which will answer the purpose andthe same as there shown being constructed as follows: j 1

49 represents a spark plug which is ardo 'anged in each valve chamber and having one of its terminals grounded on the metal parts of the engine while the other is insulated therefrom in the usual and well know n manner, 50 represents the electric source whichin this instance is represented as a generator having one side grounded on the frame of the engine while its opposite side is connected with a brush 51 which is mounted .on the standard 2 of the main frame but insulated therefrom. Upon the adjacent trunnion 9 of the rotary frame is mounted a collar 53 which carries 011 its periphery four equidistantly spaced contacts 52, which are insulated therefrom. These several contacts are adapted to engage successively with the brush 51 and each of them is connected by wire 641: with the insulated terminal of one of the spark plugs. By this means the several spark plugs are successively placed in circuit with the electric generator so that sparks are produced in the cylinders for igniting :the charges therein, the timing of this ignition mechanism being such that the spark in each cylinder is produccdat the tune the charge of fuel is compressed therein. The power may be transmitted from this engine to the parts to be driven in a variety of ways, for instance, as shown in the drawings, this may be accomplished by means of a main driving shaft 5a which is journaled in a bearing .55, of the main frame standard 3 and provided with a driven gear wheel 56 which meshes with a drivinggear wheel 57 on the adjacent hollow trunnion.

When this engineis in operation the same is comparatively noiseless and free from vibration thereby rendering the same particu larly desirable for use in aeroplanes and similar installations where this requisite is essential. Furthermore, the same is very compact and develops greater power compared with engines heretofore on the market and owing to the simplicity of its construction the same can be produced at comparatively low cost and be maintained in operative condition at a reduced upkeep.

I claim as my invention:

1. An engine comprising a main frame, a power 'cylinder pivoted perpendicular to its axis on said main frame, a piston arranged in said cylinder and alink pivoted at one end to said piston' and pivoted at its opposite end to said frame at apoint eccentric to the pivot of said cylinder.

2. An engine comprising a main frame, a power cylinder pivoted perpendicularto its axis on said main frame, a piston arranged in said cylinder, a yoke arranged outside of said cylinder and connected with said piston, and a link pivoted at one end on said yoke and pivoted at its opposite end on said frameeccentric to the pivotal connection between said frame and cylinder.

3. An engine comprising a main frame, a cylinder pivoted perpendicular to its axis on said frame and provided with a longitudinal slot, a power piston arranged in said cylinder, a yoke embracing said cylinder, a connection between said yoke and piston and extending through said slot, and a link pivoted at one end to said yoke and pivoted at its opposite end to said frame eccentric to the pivotal connection between said frame and cylinder.

4. An engine comprising a frame having a main bearing,a cylinder having its axis extending across said main bearing and arranged perpendicular relatively thereto, a support arranged on said cylinder on one side of said main bearing and provided with a trunnion which is journaled in said bearing, a power piston arranged in said cylinder, a yoke arranged externally of said cylinder 011 the opposite side of said main bearing and connected with said piston, and a link connecting said yoke withsaid main frame on one side of said trunnion.

5. An engine comprising a main frame having a main bearing, a pair of opposed power cylinders journaled in said bearing and arranged perpendicular thereto and on opposite sides thereof and having their in her parts connected and provided on opposite sides with longitudinal slots, a yoke embracing one of said cylinders, a cannon power cylinders arranged perpendicular to said bearing and on opposite sides thereof,

a support connected with the inner part of 7 one of said cylinders on one side of said main bearing and having a trunnion journaled in said main bearing, pistons arranged in said cylinders and connected with each other, a yoke embracing the other cylinder and connected with the pistons, and a link connected at one end with said yoke and at its opposite end with said frame on one side of said main. bearing. V

7 An engine comprising a main frame provided at opposite ends with main bearings which are in line, two pairs ofpower cylinders connected parallel and each pair having its members arranged across the axis of said bearings and perpendicular thereto and having their opposing inner ends connected with each other, a pair of pistons arranged in eachpair of cylinders and connected with each other, a support arranged on the corresponding cylinders of both pairs on one side of said bearings and having trunnions which are journaledon said bearings, fixed cranks arranged on said frame eccentrically relatively to said bearings, yokes embracing are opposite corresponding cylinders of both pairs and connected with the pistons therein, and links connecting said yoke with said cranks.

8. An engine comprising a main frame provided at opposite ends with main bearings which are in line, two pairs of power cylinders connected parallel and each pair having its members arranged across the axis of said bearing and perpendicular thereto and having their opposing inner ends connected with each other, a pair of pistons arranged in each pair of cylinders andconnected with each other, a support arranged on the corresponding cylinders of both pairs on one side of said bearings and having trunnions which are journaled on said bearings, fixed cranks arranged on said frame eccentrically, relatively to said bearings, yokes embracing the opposite corresponding cylinders of both pairs and connected with the pistons therein, links connecting said yoke with said cranks, and a casing inclosing said yoke,links and cranks and rotating with said cylinders and associated parts. 1 p g 9. An engine comprising a main frame, a power cylinder pivoted perpendicular to its axis on said main frame, a piston ar ran ed in said cylinder, means connecting sai... piston with said frame eccentric to the pivotal connection between said cylinder and frame, and means for supplying a live active medium to said cylinder and dischzurging the spent medium therefrom comprising fixed collars having annular inlet and outlet coupling conduits which are arranged concentrically to said bearing and movable supply and exhaust conduit-s connected at one end with said inlet and outlet coupling conduits While their opposite ends 10 are connected with the Working end of said cylinder.

EDWARD J. LANGMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

